260 years ago today, Johann Sebastian Bach passed away. His final resting place is in Leipzig's Thomaskirche (St. Thomas Church). Today, thousands of people around the world are paying tribute to one of the greatest composers to have ever lived. I've been informed that tonight the entire town of Leipzig will be awash with the sound of ringing church bells from its every steeple. If only I could be in Germany now. I'm sure in the days ahead, many videos and pictures will be uploaded to the web, at which point I'll be sure to post links.
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Purely by coincidence, I happened to be in Leipzig on the night of the 260th anniversary of Bach’s death. In fact I attended the memorial concert in the Thomaskirche.
I have to say that it was an unusual feeling having the performers behind you in the hall (they were located on the balcony at the rear of the church). The performance was broadcast on the radio channel MDR Figaro and, although a little tentative at the start, was, I thought, enjoyable without quite reaching the highest standards.
The atmosphere in Leipzig wasn’t quite as magical as you anticipated, however. It was, pretty much, a day like any other. If any church bells rang out, I really don’t recall hearing them. It rained that evening and, shortly before the concert, there was a thunderstorm over Leipzig. Fortunately for the broadcasters, the storm blew over just in time.
A nice occasion, yes, but not, on the whole, one to travel hundreds of miles for.
For anyone interested, the concert programme was:
J.S.Bach, BWV1080, Art of the Fugue, Contrapuncti 2, 9, 10.
J.S.Bach, Cantata BWV 60, O Etwigkeit, du Donnerwort.
R.Schumann, Requiem, Op.148.
J.S.Bach, Cantata BWV 116, Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ.
J.S.Bach (arr. H.Breuer), Chorale, BWV 668, Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit.
The performers were:
Thüringisches Kammerorchester Weimar
Leipziger Vocalensemble
Monika Eder (sop)
Susanne Langner (mezzo)
Martin Lattke (ten)
Daniel Ochoa (bass)
Georg Christoph Biller (cond)
very interesting this is a good story. thanks